IrelandMy FOI request was refused. Can I appeal?
Yes, you can appeal a refused FOI request to the Information Commissioner within 6 months of receiving the decision.
What the Law Says
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 gives you the right to appeal a refusal of your FOI request to an independent body — the Information Commissioner.
If your FOI request is refused (in whole or in part), the public body must give you reasons and inform you of your right to seek an internal review. If you remain unsatisfied after that review, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner.
The appeal must be made within 6 months of the date you received the decision on the internal review. The Commissioner has the power to affirm, vary or annul the decision and direct the release of records where appropriate.
You must pay a fee of €150 when making an application for review — though this may be waived or reduced in certain circumstances, such as financial hardship.
Statutory TextA person who is dissatisfied with a decision on a request for access to records may, not later than 6 months after the date on which the person receives the decision, apply to the Information Commissioner for a review of the decision.
— Freedom of Information Act 2014, s. 21 — Right of review by Information Commissioner
What to Do
Check the refusal letter for reasons and confirmation of your right to internal review.
Request an internal review from the same public body within 4 weeks of the original decision.
If still dissatisfied, submit a written application to the Information Commissioner within 6 months of the internal review decision.
Include the €150 fee (or apply for a waiver) and all relevant correspondence.
Wait for the Commissioner’s binding decision — usually issued within 10–12 weeks.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.